What is a key design consideration for gas piping within a building?

A key design consideration for gas piping within a building is ensuring that all risers include shutoff valves. Shutoff valves are essential for safety and maintenance purposes, as they allow for the quick and easy cessation of gas flow in the event of a leak or when conducting repairs. This is particularly important in gas systems due to the potential hazards associated with gas leaks, such as explosions or fires. Including shutoff valves on risers also facilitates isolation of sections of the gas piping system without needing to disrupt the entire system during maintenance.

The other options do not adequately address the critical safety and functional requirements of gas piping systems. For example, while ensuring pipes are installed in an appropriate manner is important, not all pipes need to be horizontal; vertical risers are common and necessary for effective gas distribution. Making connections from the bottom is not a standard requirement and does not consider installation flexibility, and connecting pipes without valving disregards the essential need for safety mechanisms in the event of an emergency.